A Lifetime of Service. 

Judge Fred Seraphin first answered the call to serve justice over 30 years ago, working as an Assistant Public Defender for Miami-Dade County.

As a victim of injustice in the mid-1980s, Seraphin was wrongfully arrested and falsely accused of a crime he did not commit while studying as a pre-law senior. The experience inspired him to devote his life to social service, the pursuit of justice and his first love and passion at the Public Defender's office, hired by Bennett Brummer, where he remained for years before starting his practice.  

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In 2001, Judge Fred Seraphin was appointed as a County Court Judge by then Governor Jeb Bush, becoming the first Haitian American Judge in Miami-Dade County. In 2016 Judge Seraphin was elected and retained by the voters of Miami-Dade County to continue serving the people. His experience in trial advocacy and criminal defense is the foundation for his well-regarded work ethic.

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Judge Seraphin has served in both the Civil and Criminal divisions of the Court. He has remained adamant about informing the public of their legal rights.  While being of service as a County Court Judge; he was simultaneously a faculty member at the Florida Judicial College and an adjunct professor at Barry University.  He has served as a member of the Florida Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity as well as a faculty member at Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies.

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As a Judge, he frequently speaks at local schools and is an active member of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, an organization dedicated to giving minority at-risk boys advice, guidance, and educational assistance.  

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Over the years, Judge Seraphin has hosted many various educational talk shows on radio and cable television. As a part of the “Community Connect” project of the Miami-Dade Courts, Judge Seraphin spearheads town hall meetings throughout Miami-Dade County to educate various communities about the Law and Court procedures. 

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Judge Seraphin is a loving father of two and married to his wife, Barbara, for over 32 years

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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS​

• Dade County Bar Association - Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dade County Bar Association/Sabadell - Community Service Award

• Spanish American League Against Discrimination - Sense of Community Award

• Haitian Lawyers Association Humanitarian Award

• Haitian American Nurses Association - Humanitarian Award

• Success Magazine - One of Miami-Dade's Powerful Professionals in Business and Industry

• National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) - Community Champion Award

• Police Athletic League - North Miami- Lifetime Achievement Award

• Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida - Award for Commitment and Dedication to Public Service and Community

• AEDAP - Excellence Award Outstanding Community Service

• Family Ministry - Haitian Emmanual Baptis Church - Award Appreciation

• IOTA PI LAMBA - alpha phi alpha Fraternity , Inc. - Certificate of Appreciation- Contributions to the citizen of Miami Dade County and abroad

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Education

• J.D., Hofstra University

• B.A., City College of New York